Cruise report Blackwater week 2017

With seven days, four ports, 21 Boats, 48 people and three dogs organising this cruise

was always going to be a challenge but with great help from the various harbour

masters and the Colne Yacht Club plus co-operation from all those taking part it all

came together without any disasters.

So the fleet gathered on LV87 on the Friday night looking forward to an early start

for the sailing boats, but a lie in for the motorboat contingent before we all headed off

to Bradwell Marine. The weather was more suitable to the motorboats with light

winds and flat seas. The usual first night drinks party was hosted by the lead boat

Mazza II and held on the hammer head pontoon with great views out across the

Blackwater estuary.

Sunday

Mid-morning departure heading for Heybridge Basin, 18 boats the majority of which

are quite large were giving lock keeper Grant a headache but with a berthing plan and

lots of help from the lock team we managed to squeeze everybody in within the tidal

window. The early arrivals were able to watch from the comfort of the pub garden

whilst the rest of us manoeuvred carefully in through the lock.

Sunday night was BBQ night plus a quiz organised by the infamous John Hall. So big

thanks to John for all the hard work and research that goes into preparing a quiz.

Monday

No boat movement was planned for Monday so some pumped up their dinghies and

headed for Tesco in Maldon. John Hall decided that he was going to sail Dave

Taylor’s walker bay dinghy there but soon found out that was not going to work so

rowed the whole way.

In the afternoon it was games time with boat crews challenging each other to Baule

and a Swedish game called Kubb (basically throwing lumps of wood at other lumps

of wood). Some underhand tactics by the Ariane team saw them beat the Decibelle’s

in the final.

Tuesday

Due to the weather forecast plans to anchor off Osea Island were abandoned and most

boats took advantage of the extra night in Heybridge whilst the smart ones moved

back to Bradwell to meet up with other boats that were joining the cruise mid-week.

I say “smart” because of the weather forecast for Wednesday which was wet, very

wet!

A large contingent ate in the Jolly Sailor some had enjoyed another BBQ.

Wednesday

The fleet moved back to Bradwell for one night and met up with the others and those

that were joining the cruise midweek. Again a plan was hatched with Grant the lock

keeper to get all the boats out in between his other boat movements and apart from

Ariane who had to plough through some mud all boats exited without any drama.

The weather forecast was spot on and it rained, and oh boy did it rain. So a very wet

fleet arrived in Bradwell where we were all safely berthed by Arthur the harbour

master. No formal dinner arrangements were made for that night but the Greenman

Pub had said they could accommodate us and the majority made their way there.

Thursday

At last some wind to sail with for the short hop across to Brightlingsea. Again with

some good work by harbour masters team we were nearly all berthed alongside with

only a few boats having to raft. With no formal dinner arrangements for that night

some ventured ashore whilst some ate on board.

Friday

The morning entertainment was seeing a 36’ yacht hard aground just off the pontoons

with the crew sitting up on the rail waiting for the tide to fill in. Lunch time saw a

gathering in the Yachtsman’s Arms followed by a trip ashore for the evening meal in

the Crouch Yacht Club.

The evening entertainment was the sight of a ship aground in pretty much the same

spot as the yacht that morning!

The CYC provided a two course meal and we were joined by their Vice Commodore

and Walton and Frinton cruising section who had been following us around the

Blackwater most of the week.

A short presentation for the quiz and games day was made with the winners being

Quiz-Ariane

Baule-Decibelle

Kubb -Ariane

Saturday

Promised good weather for the trip back to SYH and as the wind built the sail back

improved and ended up being the best sail of the week with up to 15knots of wind

from the north.

A large number of people stayed Saturday night and a good night was had by

everybody in the Lightship.

Overall

A good cruise with a good mix of motorboats and sailboats, a mixed bag of weather,

some great boat handling skills in tight situations, great co-operation form the

harbour teams and their back offices. Perhaps not enough sailing so maybe some

fresh ideas for next year particularly as our boats are now a little on the large side for

some of the moorings.

Bill & Marion Southgate

Mazza II